Cymbalta Suicidality Lawsuit

Cymbalta, Diabetes and MDD

The FDA recently approved the first drug indicated for the management of peripheral neuropathy accompanied by pain that is associated with diabetes. The drug is trademarked as Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) and it's manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. Cymbals, an SSNRI, was also recently approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 62% of American diabetics. It's usually associated with long-standing diabetes or poor glucose control, and it's typically characterized by burning, tingling, and numbing sensations that begin in the feet, and later affect the legs or hands. Some patients report significant discomfort in association with these symptoms, often to the point of near or complete physical disability.

Major Depression is a severe condition affecting millions of Americans, with most adults experiencing some form of depressive episode at some point in there lives. Major Depression is characterized as an especially severe form of depression, but is not associated with the mood swings seen in bi-polar disorders and it affects the patient's life more dramatically than chronic depressive conditions like dysthymia or for a longer duration than the depression that typically accompanies mourning. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have been diagnosed with the disorder and many more remain undiagnosed. Intensive PR campaigns have helped reduce the stigma attached to depressive disorders, so more people are diagnosed with the condition every year.

Cymbalta and Suicide

The FDA stated in a warning issued in October, 2004 that "Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children and adolescents with MDD and other psychiatric disorders." The agency further states, "Anyone considering the use of an antidepressant in a child or adolescent for any clinical use must balance the risk of increased suicidality with the clinical need."

During recent drug trials, there have been several reported suicides committed by patients either while taking Cymbalta or shortly after stopping the medication.

Cymbalta and Liver Toxicity

On October 17, 2005 the FDA expanded its warning about liver related issues with Cymbalta, warning physicians and clinicians about its use in patients with Chronic Liver Disease. The new labeling includes reports of hepatitis, jaundice and other liver related disorders in patients prescribed the medication. The reports received appear to indicate that the medication should not be used at all by anyone with known liver damage or disease

In a letter to doctors dated October 5th the company states, "Cymbalta should ordinarily not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use or evidence of chronic liver disease." Previously the warning mentioned only alcohol use.

Cymbalta - Am I Qualified to Complain?

If you or a family member have taken Cymbalta and have experienced any of these reported side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. This includes attempted suicide, suicide, reports of liver damage, elevated liver enzyme testing and any other significant untoward side effect(s) possibly related to the prescribed utilization of Cymbalta.

Register your Cymbalta Complaint

If you or a loved one has attemted suicide or has liver damage, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please click the link below to submit your complaint and we will have a lawyer review your Cymbalta complaint.

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READER COMMENTS

Kanesha L Jackson,almost committed suicide,when she was prescribed this medication a few years ago. She filed a lawsuit claim with the class action lawsuit that had advertised on TV,and has not received her settlement

Posted bySherrer Cooper
on August 22, 2016

My rheumatologist prescribed Cymbalta. I have Sjogrens, RA & fibromyalgia. I was first prescribed 60 mg then later my dr increased to 120 mg daily (two 60 mg a day). I'm in a constant fog, more depressed, memory loss. My psychiatrist tried to wean me off of Cymbalta twice. The withdrawal symptoms are worse than anything. My withdrawal symptoms: more pain, more depression, extreme fatigue, & the worst is that I feel as if I have bugs crawling in my head. Even with my Dr's help, I cannot get off Cymbalta. Currently I'm taking 60 mg per day. Cymbalta is an evil drug. I wish I could get off of it but the withdrawal symptoms are too severe. I am disabled, on social security & lay in my bed most of the time. I have taken Cymbalta for years. I never knew that this drug could affect me in such a powerful way.

Posted byTerry Massengale
on March 10, 2016

I started trying Cymbalta in July or sept 2015 like 2-3 weeks in I started having Ringing in my ears, it is driving crazy I know it was that med,my new Doc took me off Prozac and put me on that cymbalta .The ENT put me back on Prozac he said the is nothing they can for the ringing in my earsI can't stand.

Posted byKim Robinson
on September 22, 2015

My daughter committed suicide on 8.18.15 due to generic cymbalta

Posted byTJ
on September 8, 2015

My mother was on Cymbalta for years. She committed suicide this past July. I noticed behavioral changes in her in the weeks before this happened. She became forgetful and would forget to take it twice a day. Sometimes I would remind her and she would just say ok I'll take it in a minute. She exhibited bizarre behavior a week before she committed suicide. She up and left my dad, decided to sleep in her car, then she ultimately went to my sister's house where she used prescribed pain medication to kill herself. Before this, she became very forgetful, was very moody and depressed. Little everyday things would upset her a lot. I think that this had a lot to do with the CYmbalta because she was a completely different person before she started taking this cure of a drug. MY family and I are at a complete loss because she was everything to us. She helped us without children, she was always there for is. This is just not like her at all. We are all completely and totally grief stricken. I cannot get passed this. I don't know if we have a lawsuit or not, but I want this Cymbalta off the shelves, and not to be prescribed to anyone else. It changes people for the worse, I have seen it firsthand.

Posted byHeather Kirkwood
on August 31, 2015

I was prescribed Cymbalta by my ryomatoligiest in 2011. I was being treated for depression by a syciatrist home had me on zoloft, that I had been taking for several years, safely. My ryomatoligiest called, my syciatrist and asked her first, to change my medicine before doing so. It was changed to Cymbalta for a burning sensation in my legs. (fibromyalgia, is what he said ) in taking cymbalta I was gaining 1 7 lbs a week. I began getting suicidal within 2mo. I had a suicide attempt in 2 mo I was hospitalized, the Dr. at the hospital doubled the dosage of the Cymbalta. I went from a size 9 to a 26 in 5mo. The swelling in my legs and feet hurt so bad. It got to where I couldn't breathe. I went to see my counselor at MHMR and she was increasingly concerned about my health, she called my syciatrist in to show her what was going on with me. My syciatrist told me that she couldn't do anything about it. I asked her to please take me off the medicine (cymbalta ) because I was hurting so badly and was gaining weight so fast. My syciatrist then took me off. Five months I suffered from taking this medication. I now have permanent pain my legs and feet ,muscles spams in both of my shoulders and still trying to lose weight. I've had 5 surgeries in the past 3yrs thinking it would help my legs, feet and shoulders. I am permanently disabled. I now take 150mg of Lyrica twice a day, muscle relaxers, pain medication, anxiety medicine, antidepressants, and get injections for the pain in my back and hips. BEFORE I TOOK CYMBALTA : I had my own lawn care business and was mowing up to 12 yards a day. Today, I'm now on SS disability, and without my medicine, I can't hardly walk. If you can help me out, I would appreciate it. I hope my story will keep someone else from going through this. Please if someone gets suicidal on a medicine take them off. Don't go up, especially if they are gaining weight as I was. Thank you for your help. HK. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Posted bymelinda andrews
on August 31, 2015

i took cymbolta and the second day my liver hurt then my Gallbladder swollen now i need Surgery to have my Gallbladder removed 9/1/15 . the first time i tried cymbolta it gave me the poops real mbad but my DR told me to give the medic ine one more try , NOW SURGERY.. ill never take that med again .. i hope to survive the Surgery...

Posted byOhio
on December 30, 2014

I was prescribed Cymbalta quite some time ago. Instead of helping with my Fibromyalgia and depression problems, it has caused many side effects that are hard to live with, such as Esssential Tremor, mood swings, confusion, and unsteadiness causing me to fall and break my hip and having to be in a nursing home for two months trying to learn how to walk all over again. Every time my family doctor and I try to wean off of the Cymbalta, the Fibromyalgia, brain fog, confusion, unsteadiness and extreme fatigue come back full force. I hate living this way and would be open to any suggestions. Had I known all of this when the mental health doctor first prescribed this drug, I never would have taken it, but was promised it would work well, which it hasn’t even after two years on 60 mg.

Posted byAnonymous
on October 8, 2014

Well I have Cerebral palsy,that I have had since I was born so I have on a lot of meds but I have never had adverse effects until now it has been I thank about 4 years now since I have been on Cymbalta but I'm still filling adverse effects. My doctor put me on Cymbalta because of my depression, headaches,muscle spasms but this drug did not help me all it made have worst headaches even worse migraines and I'm control mobile spasms and pain all over it also made me have nightmare for two mouths I went to hell every night it is never ending sorrow sadness loneliness dunes so being tortured never ending. And when I wake up I see black masses surrounding me so now I have to sleep with the light every night to these day

Complained to my doctor multiple times that I was having suicidal idealization on a daily basis. The doctor did not discontinue the drug for years. I spent every day with racing thoughts of suicide approximately every five minutes. One of those days, I had a suicide attempt that I had no legitimate reason for and still consider myself lucky for surviving.

Posted byNew Jersey
on August 14, 2011

Physical injuries, emotional distress,

Posted byOregon
on May 13, 2011

Not only was I hospitalized and nearly died, but this jeopardized my career. It has cost me thousands of dollars, months of my time, humiliation and daily battles to keep my license.

Posted byWyoming
on October 2, 2010

I became more depressed after using Cymbalta for an extended period of time 3+ years, quit a well paying job, had to try every day not to give in to suicidal thoughts. Changed my whole life for the worse, took myself off it a month ago and I feel 100 times better.

Posted byRhode Island
on February 2, 2010

Thoughts of suicide, having to be under a doctors care all the time while trying to stop cymbalta, severe dizziness so I can not stand, mental break downs, total personality change.

Posted byNew York
on June 22, 2009

Loss of primary relationship, loss of business, impact on current job due to loss of work days, continual upset stomach, pains and vomiting.

Posted byMississippi
on May 18, 2009

On February 28, 2008, my hearing suddenly stopped, like I had swimmers ear. A few days later I was diagnosed with sudden sensory nerve depreviation. Basically I had a blood vessel burst in my ear drum. Later, Cymbalta started advertising that you should not take it if you were on an aspirin regamin, as it might cause bleeding. Too late for me. Through the use of steriods I have regained some hearing, but loud noises still bother me and I have a constant "whir" in my left ear.

Posted byNorth Carolina
on February 10, 2009

My daughter was 25 and left us with her 4 year old daughter to raise, needless to say we are all devastated by this tragedy.

Posted byMassachusetts
on January 15, 2009

Psychological pain
Loss of income
Loss of a parent to my 3 year old child

Posted byFlorida
on January 14, 2009

This drug is EXTREMELY dangerous and should be immediately taken off the market. My daughter was told this would help her pain and alleviate her anxiety. Since she has been on Cymbalta, she has experienced numbness, tingling, severe mood swings, agitation, a suicidal episode, fainting and dizzy spells. She has been bruised from her falls and has emotionally suffered enormous trauma since she started this drug 6 weeks ago. This is an extremely dangerous drug. She is about to start getting off of it and I am extremely worried for her safety.

Posted byMaryland
on December 8, 2008

I've spend thousands of dollars on these pills, and then more and more money to go to hospitals to counteract its side effects. I have lost my job, and can barely function because of this drug. I can't get off of it because the withdrawal symptoms are even worse.

Posted byKansas
on November 10, 2008

Manic behavior, suicidal thoughts, destructive thoughts. Relationships destroyed. Physical injury due to vertigo and brain tremmors (loss of balance). Long term insomnia, nightmares, and night terrors. Confusion and loss of worth. Created opinions (based on behavior) resulting in loss of personal integrity and professional merit.

Posted byNew Jersey
on October 30, 2008

My husband is dead and my 2 year old daughter doesn't have a dad.

Posted byFlorida
on September 4, 2008

My daughter committed suicide. She was not monitored after being prescribed this drug and did not show any effects until the day she took the drug at 7:00a.m. and I lost her at 10:30 a.m.

Posted byTennessee
on June 18, 2008

I believe that I have permanent brain damage due to the carbon monoxide I inhaled during my suicide attempt. I also believe that Cymbalta may have led to the other psychiatric problems that I have now.

Posted byVirginia
on May 27, 2008

Spent 22 days in hospital recovering from suicide attempt. Kidney failure due to overdose of OTC PM med. Still in PT must walk with cane, still out of work, came out of hospital on walker, cane is improvement.

Posted byLouisiana
on March 16, 2008

1. loss of job
2. multiple suicide attempts
3. loss of income
4. arrested while on Cymbalta--mania related due to Cymbalta
5. out of control-loss of all rational inhibitions--led to family and social problems

Posted byWisconsin
on August 20, 2007

My daughter suffered from depression and was put on Cymbalta and Lithium by her physicians, despite being under 18. The risks of suicide were not explained to us. After taking the meds for several weeks, she quit cold turkey. Approximately 6 weeks later, she attempted suicide by hanging. She was in a coma for 10 days with no chance of recovery. She passed away on April 18th, 2006.

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